Method of making sheet metal stampings



March 5, 1940.

s. A. SNELL' METHOD OF MAKING SHEET METAL STAMPINGS Original Filed Nov. 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR SAMUEL ASNELL ATTORNEYS March 5, 1940. s. A. SNELL METHOD OF MAKING SHEET METALJSTAMPINGS Original Filed Nov. 4 Sheets-Sheet, 2

INVENTOR A SN ELL Y SAMUEL m. f v 20..

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ATTORNEYS I March 5, 1940. s. A. SNELL I METHOD OF MAKING SHEET METAL STAMPINGS Original Filed NOV. 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORH SAMUEL A.SNELL v on idc 7%YW ATTORNEYS March 5, 1940. s. A. SNELL,

METHOD OF MAKING SHEET METAL STAMPINGS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Nov. 15, 1937 INVENTOR B SAMUEL A. SNELL ATTORNEY Patented Man; 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF- cE' ME'rHoD OF MAKING sHEE'r METAL .STAMPINGS Samuel A. Snell, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The American-National Company, Toledo, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Original application November 15, 1937, Serial No.

Divided and this application June 20, 1938, Serial No. 214,761

14 Claims. (01. 113-9116) One of the essential objects of the; invention is.

to form simultaneously two complete stampings such as two front end units or two rear end units of juvenile vehicle bodies from one sheet of metal.

Another object is to provide a maximum number of parts with a minimum number of drawing operations.

1|; Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention willbe made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an edge elevation of the sheet metal blank from which two front end units are formed;

Figure 2 is an edge elevation of the sheet after the initial drawing operation;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the sheet after 35 the final drawing operation;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but

showing the openings provided in the fenders for wheel clearance;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but 30. showing the cut that is made in the structure to separate the two units from'one another;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but 7 showing the units after the lower edges thereof have been trimmed; 35 Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 after the metal of the units at their lower edges has been turned inwardly to provide reinforcing flanges; I

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 40 8-8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line- Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line reinforcing purposes.

illustrated in Figure 14 after the initial drawing operation;

Figure 16 is an edge elevation of the sheet illustrated in Figure after the second drawing operation; v .1

Figure 17 is a side elevation of the structure formed by the final drawing operation;

1 Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 17,-but showing the cut that is made in the structure to 1 separate the two units from one another; l0

line 22-22 of Figure 16; co

Figure 23 is a sectional view taken on the line 23-23 of Figure 17; Figure 24 is a sectional view taken on the lin 24-24 of Figure 18; g

Figure 25 is a sectional view taken'on the 25 line 2525 of Figure 19;

Figure 26 is a sectional view taken on the line 26-26 of Figure 20; t

Figure 27 is a side elevation of one front end unit and one rear end unit spaced apart before 30 the intermediate side sections are welded thereto;

Figure 28 is a side elevation of the complete I vehicle body made in accordance with my invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particu larly to Figure 28 thereof,-A is the front end unit,. B is the rear end unit, and C are the intermediate side sections of the juvenile vehicle body made in accordance with my invention. Asshown, the front end unit A is complete 40 and comprises the arched hood I, the "rounded w front wall 2, and the substantially parallel depending side walls 3 provided with outwardly projecting fender portions 4 of inverted sub stantially L-configuration. Inturned flanges 5 and 6, respectively, are provided at the lower edges of said sides 3 and fender portions 4 for The rear end unit '3 .is likewise complete and comprises the central seat portion 1, the rear deck 8, and the spaced substantially parallel depending side walls 9 provided with outwardly projecting fender portions in of inverted substantially L-configuration. Inturned flanges H and l2,'respectively, are provided at the lower edges of said sides 9 and fender portions ID for reinforcing purposes. The intermediate side sections C simulate doors and are welded to the adjacent edges of the front and rear units A and B, respectively, to form the complete body.

In the process of construction, two front end units such as A are drawn from a single sheet 26 of predetermined area. (Figure 1.) Initially the metalof the sheet 2G is drawn at the center to form an inverted trough-shaped portion ll (Figure 2) for two hoods such as Land the upper portions 250. of the front end and side walls 2 and 3, respectively, of the units. The metal at the marginal portions of the sheet is then drawn downwardly to form the balance ofthe front end and side walls 2 and 3, and outwardly to form the fenders 4 of the units. Following the drawing operations, the outer depending walls of the fenders are cut away as at 22 (Figure 4) for wheel clearance. The structure thus far formed is then cut in two substantially midway of its ends as indicated at 23 (Figure 5) to provide two identical front end unitsj The lower edges of each unit A are then trimmed as at 2 3 (Figure 6), and following the trimming operation the metal of each unit at the lower edges thereof is turned in as illustrated in Figure 7 to provide the reinforcing flanges 5 and 6. Thus, two front end units are provided from the blank 2e.

Likewise, two rear end units such as B are drawn from a single sheet 38 of metal (Figure 14),. Initially the metal of sheet 33 is drawnat the center to form a substantially rectangular trough 3i (Figure 15). The metal at the marginal portions of the sheet is then drawn outwardly and downwardly as illustrated in Figure 16 to form the upper portions of the decks 8 and side walls 9 of the units, and is subsequently drawn downwardlyto form the balance of the decks 8 and side walls 9 and outwardly to form the fenders was illustrated in Figure 17. Fol

lowing the drawing operations just mentioned the structure so formed is cut in two substantially midway of its ends as indicated at 32 (Figure 18) to provide two identical rear end units. The lower edges of each unit B so formed is then trimmed as at 33 (Figure 19), and following the trimming operations the metal of each unit 13 at the lower edge thereof is turned in as illustrated in Figure 20 to provide the reinforcing flanges I l and I2. Thus, two rear end units B are provided from the single blank 38. 1 After being formed as described, one of th front end units A and one of the rear end units B are spaced apart the proper distance according to the width of the intermediate sections C used. The intermediate sections 0 simulating doors are formed separately as stampings and constitute inserts between these front and rear units A and B, respectively. Such inserts C are then rigidly secured, preferably by welding operations to the adjacent side edges of the spaced front and rear units A and B to complete the vehicle body, as illustrated in Figure 28.

Instead of making two identical front end portions from a single sheet of metal and two identical rear end portions from another sheet for the same model of juvenile automobile body, described above, I also contemplate making two dissimilar front end portions from one sheet and two dissimilar rear end portions from another sheet in the same manner and sequencedescribed for the manufacture of two different models of juvenile automobile bodies. Thus, one of the front end portions and one of the rear end portions so formed would go into one model, and the other front end portion and rear end portion would go into a different model. As result, I can manufacture two different models by the same method.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The method of making from a single sheet of metal for juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child rides, two identical front end units, each having an inverted substantially troughshaped hood, and depending front and side walls, including the steps of drawing the metal of a single sheet of metal to form simultaneously in end to end relation the trough-shaped hood portions of said front end units, subsequently drawing the metal of said sheet farther to form simultaneously the depending front'and side walls of said front end units, and cutting said sheet at a predetermined point to separate said front end units so formed from each other.

2. The method of making from a single sheet of metal for juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child rides, two front end units, each having an inverted trough-shaped hood and depending front and side walls, including the steps of initially drawing the metal of a single sheet of. metal to form the hoods and the upper portions of the front and side walls of the front end units, drawing downwardly and outwardly the metal at the marginal portions of the sheet to form the remainder of the front and side walls of said front end units, cutting the metal of the sheet at a predetermined point to provide two separate front end units, and trimming the lower edges of each of the front end units so formed to provide edges of predetermined configuration.

3. The method of making from a single sheet of metal for juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child rides, two front end units each having a hood, and depending front and side walls with portions of said side walls projecting laterally outward and constituting fenders, including the steps of initially drawing the metal of a single sheet of metal to form the hoods and the upper portions of the front and side walls of the front end, units, drawing downwardly the metal at the marginal portions of the sheet to form the remainder of the front and side walls of said front end units and outwardly to form the fenders, cutting away the outer depending walls of the fenders so formed at predetermined points thereof for wheel clearance, cutting the metal of. the sheet at a predetermined point to provide two separate front end units, trimming the lower edges of each of the front end units so formed to provide edges of predetermined configuration, and finally turning in the edges so formed to provide reinforcing flanges.

4. The method of making from a single sheet of metal for juvenile vehicles bodies of. the type in which a child rides, two front end units, each having a hood, and depending front and side walls, including the steps of initially drawing the metal of a single sheet of metal to form the hoods and the upper portions of the front and side walls of the front end units, drawing downwardly the metal at the marginal portions of the sheet to form the remainder of the'front and side walls of the front end units, cutting the metal of the sheet at a predetermined point to provide two separate front end units, trimming the lower edges of each of the front end units so formed to provide edges of predetermined configuration, and finally turning in the edges so formed to provide reinforcing flanges.

5. The method of making from a single sheet of metal for juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child rides, two front end units, each having a hood, and depending front and side walls with portions of said side walls projecting laterally outward and constituting fenders, including the steps of initially drawing the metal of a single sheet of metal to form the hoods and the upper portions of the front and side walls of the front end units,- drawing downwardly the metal at the marginal portions of the sheet to form the remainder'of the front and side walls of said front end units and outwardly to form the fenders, cutting away the outer depending walls of the fenders so formed at predetermined points thereof for wheel clearance, cutting the metal of the sheet at a predetermined point to provide two separate front end units, and trimming the lower edges of each of the frontend units so formed to provide edges of predetermined configuration.

6. In the manufacture of juvenile vehicle bodies of sheet metal, the steps which comprise: forming a single sheet of metal to a generally trough shaped cross-section, symmetrical relative to a transverse median plane, and having integral portions shaped to provide the hood and depending front and side walls forming the front end units of said bodies, said front wall portions being located at opposite ends of said formed sheet, and dividing said formed sheet along said median plane to provide two substantially identical front end units.

7. In the manufacture of juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child can ride, each saving a front end unit comprising an arched hood. a rounded depending front wall and substantially parallel depending side walls provided with outwardly projecting fender portions of inverted substantially L configuration, including the steps of initially drawing the metal at the center of one sheet of metal to form an inverted trough, drawing the metal of the marginal portions of said sheet downwardly to form the front and side walls of said front end units, and outwardly to form the fenders of said units, and cutting the metal of said' sheet to separate such front end units so formed from each other.

8. In the manufacture of juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child can ride, each having a front end unit comprising an arched hood, a rounded depending front wall and substantially parallel depending side walls provided with outwardly projecting fender portions of inverted substantially L configuration, including the steps of initially drawing the metal of one sheet of metal to form an inverted trough, drawing the metal of the marginal portions of said sheet to form the front and side walls of said front end units, and to form the fenders of said units. cutting away parts of the fenders for wheel clearance, and cutting the metal of said sheet to separate such front end units so formed from each other.

9. In the manufacture of juvenile vehicle bodies cf the type in which a child can ride, each having a front end unit comprising an arched hood. a rounded depending front Wall and substantially parallel depending side walls provided with outwardly projecting fender portions of inverted substantially L configuration, including the steps of initially drawing the metal at the center of one sheet of metal to form an inverted trough, drawing the metal of the marginal portions of said sheet to form the front and side walls of said frontend'units; and to form the fenders of said units, cutting the metal. of said sheet to separate such front-end units so'formed from each other, and trimming the lower edges of the front and side walls of said units.

' 10. In the manufacture of juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child can ride, each having a front end unit comprising an arched hood, a rounded depending front wall and substantially parallel depending side Walls provided with outwardly projecting fender portions of inverted substantially L configuration, including the steps vof initiallyv drawing themetal at the center of one sheet of metal to form an inverted trough, drawing the metal of the marginal portions of said sheet to form the front and side walls of said front end units, and to form the fenders of said units, cutting the metal of said sheet to separate such front end units so formed from eachother, trimming the lower edges of the front and side walls of said units, and turning in the trimmed lower edges of the front and side walls of said units to provide reenforcing flanges.

11. In the manufacture of juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child can ride, each having a front end unit comprising an arched hood and integral depending front and side walls, the method of making two complete front end units aforesaid from one sheet of metal including the steps of initially drawing the metal of the sheet at the center to form a substantially rectangular inverted trough from which the hoods are formed, and to form the upper portions of the front and side walls of the front end units,

drawing downwardly the marginal portions of the sheet to form the remainder of the front and side walls of the units, and dividing the sheet transversely at a predetermined point to provide hood and integral depending front and side walls with portions of said side walls projecting laterally outward and constituting fenders, the method of making two complete front end units aforesaid from one sheet of metal including the steps of initially drawing the metal of the sheet at the center to form a substantially rectangular inverted trough from which the hoods are formed, and to form the upper portions of the front and side walls of the front end units, drawing downwardly the marginal portions of the sheet to form the remainder of the front and side walls of the units, drawing outwardly portions of the side walls to form the fenders, cutting away portions of said fenders for wheel clearance, and dividing the sheet transversely at a predetermined point to provide simultaneously two separate front end units. I

13. In the manufacture of juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child can ride, each having a front end unit comprising an arched hood and integral depending front and side walls, the method of making two complete front end units aforesaid from one sheet of metal, including the steps of initially drawing the metal of the sheet at the center to form a substantially rec-.

tangular inverted trough from which the hoods are formed, and to form the upper portions of the front and side walls of the front end units, drawing downwardly the marginal portions of the sheet to form the remainder of the front and side walls of the units, cutting away portions of said side walls for wheel clearance, and dividing the sheet transversely at a predetermined point to provide simultaneously two separate front end units.

14. In the manufacture of juvenile vehicle bodies of the type in which a child can ride, each having a front end unit comprising an arched hood and integral depending front and side walls, the method of making two complete front end units aforesaid from one sheet of metal, including the steps of initially drawing the metal of the sheet at the center to form a substantially rectangular inverted trough from which the hoods are formed, and to form the upper portions of the front and side walls of the front end units, drawing downwardly the marginal portions of the sheet to form the remainder of the front and side walls of the units, cutting away portions of said side walls for wheel clearance, dividing the sheet transversely at a predetermined point to provide simultaneously two separate front end units, and turning in the metal of each unit at its lower edges to provide reenforcing' flanges.

SAMUEL A. SNELL. 

